Israel/Palestinian Territories – Settlements (5-6 August 2019)

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France condemns the decisions taken by the Israeli authorities on August 5 and 6 allowing for the construction of 2,304 housing units on the West Bank.

These decisions come amid the troubling acceleration of settlement building on the West Bank and in East Jerusalem. As stated in UN Security Council Resolution 2334, these settlements are contrary to international law. This policy further heightens tensions on the ground and gravely undermines the conditions for a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians based on a two-state solution.

In addition, France takes note of the announcement of 715 building permits for Palestinian housing units in Area C. It reaffirms the considerable needs of the Palestinian population living in that area, even though the vast majority of building permit applications have not been approved in recent years, and the demolition of Palestinian homes – illegal under international law – steadily continues on the West Bank and in East Jerusalem.

France calls on the Israeli authorities to abide by international law and to abandon any project that would ultimately jeopardize the two-state solution.